Scottish SPCA

Hamster abandoned at Arthur's Seat

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a hamster with a skin condition was abandoned in its cage and hidden under a bush at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.

A member of the public spotted the animal when her dog began sniffing the area where the cage had been left, close to Meadowfield Drive, on Monday afternoon (September 5). The concerned lady then contacted us for help.

Local Inspector June Chalcroft collected the white male hamster and took him to our Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where staff have named him Arthur.

Inspector Chalcroft said, "It's likely the owner has panicked about Arthur's skin condition and decided they didn't want him anymore. He's lost a lot of hair and the vet thinks it could be hormonal or due to his age.

"His condition might clear up with the right diet. For now we'll just have to monitor him and hope he recovers. It doesn't appear to cause Arthur any pain and being bald doesn't seem to bother him at all.

"He's a really friendly and well handled wee guy so he's obviously been someone's pet.

"Whoever left Arthur has been particularly cruel by hiding him under a bush where it was unlikely he would be found.

"Although there was food and water in his cage, he would eventually have starved to death, so we're keen to track down whoever owned him."

We are warning that abandoning an animal is an offence that carries stiff penalties up to a maximum of six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information relating to Arthur should contact our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

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